NETWORKING AT THE ANWA WRITERS CONFERENCE

As an employment missionary, I've begun to notice the similarities between hopeful authors and job seekers. This post helps answer the questions "What do I say? What do I do?" for both.

The ANWA writers’ conference is nearing. It’s time to lay a plan to make this event work for you. To do that, you should think of it as a networking opportunity. The best, actually.

How often do you get the opportunity to speak with 100 or more writers/authors/editors/agents under one roof? Don’t be afraid of those ‘more published’ than you. Don’t shy away from the editors and agents. Take a deep breath and remind yourself, they are here to meet you.

It takes a bit of the pressure off to remind yourself that they are also human. So, don’t sit back in the shadows. Go out and make a few contacts. Meet some new friends. Enjoy the company of ‘old’ friends. And remember the rules of networking:

Smile

State your name clearly

If you shake hands, don’t be a limp fish.

AND, do not monopolize the time of others no matter how fascinating you find them.

Visit. Don’t be overlooked, but don’t be pushy or aggressive. In other words, treat them as you would wish to be treated if you were in their shoes.

 

ME IN 30 ... WHAT?

As many years as it’s been around, the Me in 30 second statement (a.k.a. summary statement) is still gaining ground. Most people we talk to have never heard of it.

All it is, is a few prepared sentences about yourself that are focused on your prime objective.

It’s a simple thing. Really. Then why does the mere mention of it elicit terror?

I’ve decided there are several reasons. One reason may be that we don’t really know our for-real-and-true prime objective. To get a job, sure, but doing what? Most people we talk to could be equally successful doing any number of things.

And, that’s the great thing about the Me in 30. We can have more than one! Yay! And then, depending on who we’re talking to, we can say something different. The Me in 30 is to keep us from babbling, and to help us sound intelligent. Heh.

NOW, IN THE WRITER’S WORLD:

We already have an idea about saying things in the least amount of time. We have several names for it. The Elevator Speech, a Tag Line/ Log Line/ blurb—they’re all a little different, yes. But, they are each meant to help us get right to the point.

Our goal is similar to that of the unemployed; we want our book published/ they want a job. Learning on how to focus on our facts is an important part of sounding publish/ job worthy.

SO, HERE IT IS IN A NUTSHELL:

1. Give a brief introduction. Include your objective/ genre

“Hi. I’m Tina Scott, and I write Historical Fiction with a romantic twist.

2. Share a few specific examples of your accomplishments in that regard/ or how you are qualified. Basically, let them know why they should care.

“Many of my ancestors are from Denmark, and I feel their life stories are interesting. According to the 2009 census, there are over 1,500,000 people with Danish ancestry living in America. I believe my books speak to this often overlooked part of our population.”

3. Share a few things that set you/your book apart from the others.

“Since there are many popular books on pioneers in America, my books are set mostly in Denmark or aboard their immigrant ship.”

These brief statements are meant to whet the appetite of your listener; to get them to ask more. So, be sure to have more prepared and ready to share if the opportunity arises.

Good luck, and happy networking!

 

 

MAKEUP TIPS FOR THE JOB INTERVIEW OR WRITERS CONFERENCE

The writers conference/ job interview is drawing near, and it’s time to update your makeup.

No, really.

Most of us started wearing makeup in Junior High, or Middle School – depending on where you’re from. And, depending on what our friends, or frenemies said, we found what worked and stayed with it.

There was a girl in one of my classes when I started wearing makeup that loved to ridicule my eye shadow. I had a makeup kit that came with some blush – probably a ghastly shade of pink – and a pale green and pale blue eye shadow. Ug.

I have a physical reaction whenever I see someone wearing those colors of eye shadow. [This is me shuddering.]

In High School, I tried fake eyelashes. I thought they looked great. But, I carpooled with a frenemy. She begged to differ. Now it’s one of the things I notice.

If you’re a model, or have a big face, a bushy set of long eyelashes might be just the thing. Otherwise it’s just an added expense. Everyone knows they’re fake, so what’s the point?

(Kind of like fake boobs. Don’t get me started on those. But, again, if everyone knows they’re fake, what’s the point?)

Back to the task at hand – updating our makeup.

Don’t go overboard. What looks good on the makeup models is not what will look good on you.

Trust me on this.

Before you change your makeup, Google it. I Googled “Makeup Tips for Women over 50” and watched several YouTube demonstrations and read up before changing my makeup style. Another good idea is to Google, "Actresses over 50," or 40, or however old you are. You may be surprised.

Why did I change? Because I noticed a new trend. And because I saw some women a bit older than me wearing dark eye shadow to church. Though it looked nice enough up close, from half way across the room it was a different story. Think Goth.

I don’t know when it happened, but I know I’m not the only one to realize that although I still feel 20 (ish), my eyelids sag a bit. Add dark eye shadow to that and your eyes all but disappear.

The point of the eye shadow is to bring attention to the eyes in a good way – to accent them and make them look prettier, to help brighten up your face.

Wear a light color under the eyebrow and along the upper lash line. Blend in a darker color in the crease. That’s it.

About eye liner. Be sure to wear it, but don't wear eyeliner 'wings' like some models wear in magazine ads. Eye liner will succeed in bringing out your eyes much better than that heavy eye shadow. It’s up to you whether to use liquid or a pencil. I like L’OREAL liquid pencil eye liner. It has an eraser at the other end that’s helpful if I make a mistake.

I used to wear brown/black because I have brown hair, but black helps lashes look thicker and to show up nicer. Use a thin line and get it as close to the lashes as possible. 

Don’t go clear to the inside point of your eyelid (where upper and lower meet). It makes the eye appear smaller. Start where your lashes start. With the lower lashes, start a thin line from the outer corner (where the lashes start) and continue barely to the middle, or continue to the other edge of the lashes. Blend it in so it looks natural.

In applying mascara, let the brush touch your eyelid in your lash-line. Just a bit. It helps give the appearance of thicker lashes. Make sure it doesn’t go below the lash line though.  People will notice.

When you finish a favorite tube of mascara, rinse off the brush. You can use it to smooth out clumps of mascara on your lashes so it looks more natural.

Although there are plenty of YouTube suggestions to use a white stick. Don’t. Unless you’re a model. Or appearing on TV. You don’t want anyone staring at your eyes trying to figure out why you have a streak of white on your eye. You want people to think you’re a natural beauty.

About blush:

You need way less blush than you think. Just a touch. That big streak of red on the faces of women on TV is not necessary or even desirable in real life.

The whole point of makeup is to not to look made up. Repeat that in the mirror.

One more thing, if your eye shadow won’t last the day, buy some primer. It works.

I can’t say it enough: Go for the natural beauty look, and not the look of a makeup queen. Your frenemies have probably all grown up and have too many other things to think about. After high school, you can’t count on their ridicule to clue you in any longer.

Practice a few times before the job interview or writers conference so you feel comfortable.

 

 

MIDNIGHT IN AUSTENLAND, by Shannen Hale

In Midnight in Austenland, Shannon Hale once again proves her stuff as a master storyteller. Hale took the same setting and many of the same characters from her first Austenland novel, and spun it into a completely different tale. Good job.

I got to meet Shannon Hale at the library here. Now that we’re friends, I just have one thing to say. Shannon, can I be you? Minus the twins. My sister has twins, and besides I don’t want to start with having young children again. I really, really wouldn’t want the Abraham’s Sarah experience, from the bible. Whoa there! I just want to spin a tale that readers rave about. One that makes readers marvel and sigh, and say, “I want to write like her!”

Midnight in Austenland:

Charlotte Kinder is nice. She’d been nice all of her life. She married a nice man, James, and had two nice children, Lu and Beckett. After the kids got old enough that they didn’t think Mom was all that interesting, Charlotte grew a simple idea into a prosperous Internet business and discovered she was also cleaver.

Unfortunately, Charlotte wasn’t cleaver enough to keep her husband interested. She blamed his cheating on herself. Of course she did. All nice people do. When Charlotte and James divorced, and he got half of all her money, Charlotte realized that he’d been cheating on her for a while.

Enough of that though. This story is about a middle-aged woman tainted by life. Beaten by the betrayal of the very man who was supposed to love and protect her. Betrayed by the two children who were supposed to adore her forever. The audacity. They grew up, and didn’t.

It’s a universal fact that toddlers and children adore their parents with a hero-worship love. It’s also a universal fact that once they hit middle-school that adoration melts into something less discernible as love. Mom is a swear word, and swear words are cool.

Let it be said; Her previously perfect life was stomped into the dust of nothingness.

After she found a long-lost “bucket list,” that she’d written as a kid, and discovered the bottom item, read Jane Austen, Charlotte did. And loved it.

But a person cannot live vicariously though novels of the 19th century forever. When Lu got angry with Charlotte for spying on her boyfriend, and swore she hated her mother, Charlotte realized one thing: she needed a vacation.

You got it. She booked a vacation at Pembrook Park, vacation destination for all Austen enthusiasts.

This is not the ordinary Austenland, however. Charlotte and the other guests/employees become involved in a story of the nearly disintegrated Abby nearby, and how all of the nuns were found dead with no reasonable explanation. Everyone suspected young Mary Frances, who was the sole survivor and who always refused to talk about the incident.

During an innocent game of Murder in the Dark, Charlotte comes across what she believes is a real, dead, body. When she takes the others to see it, Charlotte can’t even find the room, and of course everyone thinks it’s part of the script.

Colonel Andrews is an expert at entertaining and he is thrilled that Charlotte is “into” his game.

In a land where nothing is as it seems, it’s easy for Charlotte to convince herself that the “murder” is all part of the entertainment. Especially since each visitor’s story is written to their specifications, and as with all Austen novels, Pembrook Park visitors can expect a little love story mingled in.

Charlotte continues investigating the pretend dead body as part of the Abby Mystery. As she gains more clues, things start looking more real and it’s hard to separate fact from fiction.

In the second homage to Jane Austen, Pembrook Park is the same, many of the actors are the same and they still have their duty to entertain the guests. Miss Charming is there. Seems she’s adopted Pembrook Park as her new home. The grumpy Mrs. Waddlesbrook is there as is her husband.

 

This is where the story similarities to Hale’s previous book, Austenland, end. I won’t give away the story. Just know it’s a good one.

 

OMELET

I have to admit that I've never made an omelet. Embarrassing? I don't know. When you're raising seven children, what're they going to do with an omelet? A mom would have to make seven omelets, and by then it would be time for lunch.

On our mission, however, I've learned how to make an omelet. Since I've never read an omelet recipe, I'm not certain if I'm doing it "correctly," but they're fairly easy, and good. Omelets are a good and healthy breakfast. A great way to start the New Year.

Since I didn't read a recipe, mine is not fully organized. It's a little bit of this, and a little bit of that, type of recipe. Here goes:

1 small, non-stick fry pan.

1 tsp of butter
3 eggs is best. 2 will work
approximately 2 TBSP milk
vegetables such as:
onion - 1/4 of a small one sliced and diced fine
fresh mushroom - 1 or 2
1 slice of ham, diced - optional
approximately 1/3 C. shredded cheese

Whisk together the eggs and milk in a small bowl, then set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan and cook the vegies and ham over med - med hi heat until just done and not over cooked. If you are not using ham, salt the vegies a little.
Put this mixture on a plate or in a bowl, and set aside. Add another tsp of butter to the pan, melt it, and add the egg mixture. Salt to taste. Cook over med-low heat, covered, until the top is nearly set.


Notice how the top of this still looks a little liquid. You don't want the omelet too dry.

Sprinkle the cheese across the middle. Add the cooked vegies.

Fold the egg over the top. Hold it still with a pancake spatula for a few seconds until it sets.

Slip it onto a plate and enjoy. My husband and I share this, but a hungry person might be able to finish it him/herself. Yum!

DONNY & MARIE OSMOND - LIVE!

 Not to give away my age, but as a teen, Donnie & Marie were big news. Their songs dominated the radio, and Marie's song, Paper Roses, was one my lovesick teenaged heart had memorized. Figuratively, of course.

Imagine my delight, when at one of the wards we visited, they passed out flyers saying that Donnie & Marie had invited the LDS community of St. Louis to attend their concert for free!!!!

We went!

 

Here we are, eagerly anticipating the concert. Don't mind that my glasses are halfway down my nose. They never seem to be in the right place in pictures, that's why I usually take them off.

 

 

The screens were great for those, like us, who sat in the back. These two are in their 50's and perform like they're in their 30's, at least.

 

Marie did sing Paper Roses, and they both sang popular numbers from their past, with pictures of them growing up, and/or as they sang the song originally. They performed Country, or rather Marie did. Donny sang Rock & Roll, and some R&B Soul.

 

They've both had extensive careers on Broadway as well, and performed many of their favorites while pictures of them in the play flashed on the screens.

 

 

One of the many highlights of the evening is when this man came on stage. Getting to meet Marie up close and personal was the highlight of his life. He seemed willing to do nearly anything she asked, and he had a quick wit.

 

One of the other highlights, to me, is when Marie sang an opera song. It kind of makes me mad that I can't remember the name of it because it is well-known. But she proved her vocal talent easily with that one.

 

 

Donnie had his moments as well. There were several times when they both went down into the audience. The last time Donnie went, just before this number, I thought security would need to come save him. He was mobbed. A woman in the bleachers came rushing down, and he actually went up to her and gave her a rose. A couple of women latched on to him and wouldn't let him go. When he got back on stage, he said one woman had given him a Christmas goose.

 

It was a Christmas concert and they did sing Christmas songs as well. They paid homage to the men in the military, and had everyone who had served our Country stand up.

 

Getting to see Donnie & Marie in concert is only one of the many blessings we've received by being here in St. Louis. There is something to be said about being in the right place at the right time.

 

 

 

MISSION TOUR - Historic St. Louis Library

The one great thing – or rather, one great thing about St. Louis is the history. Many of the buildings date back to the 1800’s. A couple of buildings date back farther than that. I love the beautiful old buildings. Because of a substantial gift from Andrew Carnegie, the main library was built in the early 1900's. The architect copied designs from places like the Parthenon, and is beautiful.

Luckily for us, it recently re-opened after a two year renovation and remodeling. Below are some pictures.


 
Nothing says Christmastime like a tree made of books.
 
 



The area used to be glass floors with book stacks. Now, it's very open and modern looking.

 

 

If you go on a senior mission and are told the activity is casual and jeans are okay, don't be surprised like I was that no one else got the memo - either that or they chose to ignore the memo.

 

 

There are several glass display cases to show off priceless or delicate items.

 

The two ceilings here look like they're made of wood, but they're sculptured plaster that's been hand painted.

 

 

 

 

This one has goat skulls at each point. Apparently the goat is revered because anciently they used goat hide to write on. This is also sculpted plaster.

 

 

This door goes into a private, appointment-only room full of priceless books on architecture.

 

 

"Speak low, tread softly through these halls, here genius lives enshrined, here reign in silent majesty, the monarchs of the mind."

 

 

No library I've ever seen has stained glass windows. This library has two at the top of opposite stairways, and one on a ceiling.

 

This table is also original and made of solid wood.

I hope you enjoy the photos. I feel it an honor and a privilege to get to tour a beautiful building like this one. 

 

 

 

THE CANDY BOMBER

This shows the power of one person in doing good. The video doesn't tell the first of the story. He went into Berlin to take pictures, and saw the children. He decided to give them the two sticks of gum in his pocket so he broke each piece into pieces and passed it through the barbed wire fence. The children hadn't had gum or candy for years, and those who didn't get a piece of the gum, were handed a piece of the wrapper. They took it and smelled it and were so grateful for the wrapper that it touched Colonel Halverson. He told them he would be back and he'd bring them more candy and gum and drop it from the plane. So they would know it was his plane, he wiggled the wings. The effort grew from there with candy factories in the USA shipping candy for the children. He could have been court-martialed and put in jail, instead he ended up being an ambassador for goodwill. Let's all make an effort to spread good will this coming year. One person does make a difference.

DARE TO STAND ALONE

This is a great video presented by President Monson. Have a blessed New Year!

O COME, EMMANUEL

This is the life of Christ set to beautiful music by The Piano Guys. Merry Christmas!

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM

I love Christmas. Thinking of Christ and pondering his life and gifts to us is a glorious opportunity. This is another great Christmas message: Remember the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!

THE REASON BEHIND CHRISTMAS

This is a sweet reminder of Christmas: Remember, the Spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ and have a Merry Christmas.

AUSTENLAND, by Shannon Hale

It's official. Being a Senior Missionary is the best! We can enjoy leisure pursuits - like reading.

I bought the movie Pride and Prejudice years ago, and much to the chagrin of my daughter, I watched it often. With this said, I still wouldn’t be admitted into the Austen fan club.

I still thoroughly enjoyed Austenland.

Since Mr. Darcy is mentioned often, and with a spirit of admiration or awe, it might be important for a reader to have at least watched the movie once, or read the book, in order to relate.

But who hasn’t?

Poor Jane Hayes. She hadn’t meant to fall in love with Mr. Darcy. She did realize he was a fictional character, and all. It’s just that none of the real-live men that she’d known could hold a candle to him. Why bother, if one can’t have perfection?

Jane’s love life is laughable – and we get a glimpse into her dysfunctional idea of a boyfriend at the beginning of each chapter.

When Aunt Carolyn comes to town, Mom brings her to Jane’s apartment with the idea of sweetening Aunt Carolyn to Jane so she’ll bequeath Jane some of her money when the time arrives.

Aunt Carolyn sees the hidden Pride and Prejudice DVD and knows exactly why Jane is still single. Later, as Mom had hoped, Jane was included in Aunt Carolyn’s will. She is bequeathed a three-week vacation to England’s Pembrook Park.

It’s a place where Austen-obsessed wealthy women go. Most of them are tired of their real lives, and of their real husbands. They’re given new, Austen-y names, and even get to pick their age.

There are plenty of handsome men around—the handsome yet brooding Mr. Nobley, the charming Colonel Andrews, and the newly promoted Captain East – are all actors hired to play their parts and keep the clients happy.

They’re actors, they’re actors, they’re actors. This is what Jane keeps reminding herself, and it’s hard to keep real emotions away from pretend situations, and it appears that with the exception of the well manicured landscape, nothing in this amusement park is genuine.

In a desperate attempt at finding something real that she can put her emotions to, Jane escapes into the arms of Martin, one of the gardeners. But then she realizes that in order to rid herself of her Mr. Darcy obsession she must face it head on.

Jane dons her bloomers and corset, she walks the walk and talks the talk of the proper Austen character, and finds herself in danger of falling in love with the real-live fictional character, Mr. Nobley. However, when he offers the scripted proposal, Jane is finally able to put Mr. Darcy behind her.

Austenland is a fun read – all the awkward moments when Jane is teetering on the edge of make-believe and reality made me laugh out loud. The whole time I was reading it, I kept wondering how Hale would get a proper ending. I needn’t have worried. All questions were answered, and it was a romping good time from beginning to end.

 

 

 

The Mission Tour--SLAM! IMAGINE PEACE

It's a slam dunk getting to go to the St Louis Art Museum. You've got to love a city that shares it's culture and history for free. It's been called a "family friendly city." This is why: the zoo entrance is free. The science center is free. And the art museum. FREE. That's right in my budget.
It was built as a Palace to the Arts for the 1904 World's Fair. They just don't make beautiful buildings like that anymore. Sigh.



Ancient art



Modern art

The difference between cultures is interesting, don't you think? The modern art is a representation of heaven and earth. Earth is the broken glass on the floor.

I felt like a little school girl getting to go from room to room viewing, in person, artists whom I've admired their work - or thought their lives sad, or interesting. In van Gogh's apples, his wide brush stokes give away the fact that he painted them.

The Dreamer, by Pierre August Renoir was thought a bit "saucy" back in 1879.




Georges-Pierre Seurat

I got to see Seurat's pointillism up close and personal. By the end of the day, I had my own museum staff keeping an eye on me from room to room. Hey. How was I supposed to know that the line of dark brown wood embedded in the floor was the "stand back" line?

Water Lilies

How could any art museum tour be complete without a picture of Claude Monet's Water Lilies? This is part of a triptych. The other water lily paintings are in Kansas City and Cleveland. And  yes, I had my nose right up to the painting. Without touching it, of course. It's the fault of my glasses, and my "over 40 eyes."

Wishing Tree

When Yoko Ono was a girl growing up in Japan, there was a wishing tree in the temple courtyards. This follows a similar theme, yet on a grander scale. Visitors write a wish on a tag and tie it to one of the three trees. Periodically, the museum staff take the wishes down and put them in a clear acrylic bin just inside the door.
This is only one of many of her Wish projects. Following her instructions, the wishes will join others, now totaling over one million, at her Imagine Peace tower in Iceland. Here, she celebrates, and keeps in memory, her late husband, John Lennon. Every year the tower is lit on Lennon's birthday, October 9th through December 8th, the day he was shot.
Click this Google link to see some spectacular pictures of the Imagine Peace tower:
https://www.google.com/search?gs_rn=26&gs_ri=psy-ab&tok=LdyogzW9v51vaJp3Ohnl8w&cp=7&gs_id=q&xhr=t&q=imagine+peace+tower+in+reykjav%C3%ADk+iceland&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.52164340,d.b2I&biw=1366&bih=648&dpr=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=gfE0UtCkNeeY2wX20IHwCw

CATHEDRAL BASILICA

I felt a bit awkward going into the Cathedral Basilica wearing my missionary tag. But we were told that it was one of THE places to see in St Louis. We got there a little before the tour started. I took advantage of the time by taking pictures in the foyer.
There are several mosaics there depicting the life of King/St Louis of France.

St Louis before leaving for the Crusades.

I'd heard of the crusades, of course, but was excited to see someone who had actually gone. During his lifetime King Louis actually bought the crown of thorns worn by Christ from Emperor Baldwin ll in approximately 1239. King Louis died during his second crusade, in August 1270

From the back, looking forward.

 The mosaics are all on the upper part of the cathedral and the ceiling. They depict lives of people who have done good things in this life, the apostles, and special events.

This is looking toward the front doors.

The striped layers depict earth. We're down on earth. The people in the mosaics are in heaven.

The mosaics above were made by Tiffany Studios. They are my favorite. They have a soft look that gives them the appearance of tapestries.

The highest dome. Not seen from the outside.

The rest of the mosaics were constructed in the Byzantine style that uses the rich colors. The cathedral turns off the lights for tours because the lighting distracts from the beautiful mosaics. The white in the circle are windows letting filtered light. In the Byzantine style, the craftsmen put the glass down and before it's dry, they hammer it in places to make the tiles uneven. That's why the tiles with gold-leaf under them shimmer as in the picture above.

I was glad that we went. It was very interesting, and I can't remember it all. They have special events here throughout the year, including a Christmas choir. I'd love to go. I imagine the sounds would be breathtaking.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

Dinner and a Movie.
This song was sung at St. Louis South stake's conference this past weekend. The spirit gave a strong confirmation that the Lord does watch over us. Listen to this and know that you are loved more than you can know.

GRILLED SALMON

1 1/2 lb salmon fillets

lemon pepper, to taste

garlic powder, to taste

salt, to taste,

1/3 C. soy sauce

1/3 C brown sugar

1/3 C water

1/3 C vegetable oil

Directions

1.   Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.

2.   In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved. Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

3.   Preheat grill for medium heat.

4.   Lightly oil grill grate. Place salmon on the preheated grill, and discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

 

MISSION TRIVIA

The first thing a person should do on their mission, is get to know the area, and then get to loving the people. It hasn’t been hard loving the people of St Louis. They’re all so nice. Most of the members
treat us as though we’re angels sent from heaven, and thank us over and over again for our service.

It makes me a bit nervous since I don’t think we’ve done anything overly special. After all, we’ve just barely been here four weeks now. We’re just getting to know our responsibilities, and don’t have them down pat yet.

 

Here we are at Ted Drews. Could anything be finer?



We’ve been going to two wards each week and introducing ourselves. Our years of moving from one place to another have prepared me for this activity. I’m used to going into a ward and not knowing anyone. As I look back on my life I can see the Lord’s hand in preparing us for our mission in a lot of different ways.

In turn, we’ve had angels come to us. The first two are Rock and Joy Erekson. I’ve never met a lovelier couple. They’re gracious and kind, and generous.

Randy (right) w/ the Ereksons
 

You gotta love people whose favorite activity is going out for frozen custard! It's so yummy, everyone just stands outside and eats it. The city put up a railing between the sidewalk and the street so that when there's a crowd, they don't go into the street and get hurt.

 

Saint Louis, the King and Crusader

After the ice cream, they took us to see the sights until it was our bedtime. This is actually across the street from the art museum.

 



The St Louis Art Museum.

This building was build for the 1905 World's Fair. It's pretty amazing. Why don't they build pretty buildings anymore?

HAPPPY BIRTHDAY!

Tomorrow is my husband's birthday. I'll not reveal how old he is, but he hasn't turned 60 yet. To celebrate, I'm going to embarrass him by posting some crazy pictures I've taken of him.

Bubbles

at the Foutz Family Reunion

 

silly daddy!

 

cookout at Sugarloaf Mountain, AZ

April Conference 2011

Water day!


Happy Birthday to a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather! I hope your day is memorable.

 

A POCKET FULL OF GOLD

As most of you know, my husband and I are on our mission now. The year before our decision to serve was full of trials and hardship. The time since our decision to serve has been exciting, fun, and full of new possibilities.

What's it like to sell your home and most of its contents to serve the Lord? Let me share this cute story to help me explain:

There was once this rich man. He had spent his life acquiring wealth, and he was very good at it. One night, while he was in his office going over his finances and feeling rather pleased, and angel came to him. "The time is at hand for you to meet your eternal reward. Prepare yourself wisely."

"I'm not going to go," said the wealthy man, "unless I can take my wealth with me. It's who I am. It's what It's been the focus of my whole life."

"You will die when it is your time," said the angel, "and you’re not allowed to take anything with you.”

But the wealthy man had great bargaining skills, and finally the angel relented. “You can take one suitcase,” he said, “but that’s all.”

The wealthy man rubbed his hands together with glee. He would rock heaven with his wealth. Perhaps even Kind Midas would be jealous of what he had accumulated. But how could he get it all to heaven?

He decided that if he transferred his wealth into gold, he could make the most of his small suitcase, so he set about having his wealth condensed into gold brick.

Finally the time of his death arrived. He found his suitcase and lugged it to the pearly gates. Here he met St. Peter. He saw the suitcase and said, “You’re not allowed to bring anything from your life on earth. That has to stay.”

The wealthy man said, “No, no, no. It’s okay. I have special permission.”

St Peter decided he’d better inspect the suitcase before he allowed it through, so he opened the bag. Upon seeing the gold brick, he exclaimed, “Pavement? You were allowed to bring anything you wanted into heaven, and you brought pavement?”

Some of our things were particularly hard to part with, but in the end, it’s all just stuff. The things that are important on earth aren’t the same things that are important eternally.

Moroni lived in a cave. Moses grew up in a palace and ended up wandering in the desert for 40 years. We won't be gone that long. In the mean time, we're hoping to fill our suitcase with something more than pavement. Haha.

WILD ABOUT ANIMALS

Did you ever want to stand next to a mountain lion? What would he do? What would you? In this zoo, we had that opportunity.

I felt sorry for many of the animals in this zoo, as many of them seemed stir crazy. This mountain lion was one of them. He/she paced back and forth.


Did you ever see a giraffe and wish you could slide down its neck? Not to land on the fence, of course, but on a pillow of mulch.

 

In this zoo, you can.

 

Did you ever wish  you could live underground with the groundhogs in a labyrinth of tunnels? This zoo found the answer.

 

Who is the animal on display?

 

Did you ever pretend you were a butterfly?

 

 

Or wish you could swim like a jellyfish?

 

 

Zoos around the world find answers to all of our youthful aspirations, trying each day to help us appreciate the wild animals that share this planet with us. If you can, visit your local zoo soon.

 

 

BOMBING MEMORIAL IN OKLAHOMA CITY

As part of our travels, I wanted to stop by the memorial garden in Oklahoma City. It was worth it to spend a moment thinking of the precious nature of life, and how quickly things can change.

 

 

The chair memorials are arranged in rows specifying the floors of the building. There is a name on each chair and they are arranged according to the floor that person was on at the time of the bombing.

This building was adjacent to the building bombed.

It was a very sobering and reverent tour.